SignificantHowever, Mr Coveney’s office later told The Irish Times the call was a significant one and had involved several important issues. However, Mr O’Halloran joined the company a year after the events under investigation took place. The Chinese authorities claim that Mr O’Halloran promised to transfer the aircraft and leasing revenues connected to the plane back to the Irish company’s Chinese parent, but that he has not done so. Then they felt the best thing to do was to allow the Government time to speak with the Chinese authorities to negotiate his return. “We can’t go any further with this but the Irish Government could and they need to demand that he be released.

Source: The Irish Times December 05, 2020 06:00 UTC